It 's normally the domain of loose change and missing remotes , but after what one couple discovered in the sofa , you might think twice about sticking your hands down below the cushions .

A Long Island couple found a 3-foot python underneath a couch cushion Monday , according to the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals .

The apartment , located in Holbrook , had recently been vacated and the couple was moving in , SPCA spokesman Roy Gross said . He was not certain when the previous tenant left it , but the snake appeared healthy and was not dehydrated .

`` You can imagine how shocking it was , '' he said of the unexpected housewarming gift . `` You 're not expecting to find a snake there . ''

SPCA officials took the snake , which they determined to be a ball python . A ball python is a nonvenomous python species found in Africa that can grow up to 3-5 feet long . `` They are generally a very docile snake , '' Gross said .

There 's good news for the slithery couch potato : It 's since been adopted by another family .

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Long Island couple discovers snake in new apartment

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3-foot ball python beneath the couch cushions

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SPCA says it belonged to previous tenant